7 Days in Italy Itinerary Italy is gliding down the Grand Canal in Venice, under the Rialto Bridge and onward to the enigmatic St. Mark’s Square. Italy is staring in awe at Michelangelo’s masterpiece David or the heavenly Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. Italy is imagining the gladiators and wild beasts fighting to the death in the mighty Colosseum. Italy is delicious foods and wines, beautiful ... Read Full Article
10 Ways to Beat Jet Lag in Rome
How many times have you arrived in Europe feeling like an extra from The Walking Dead—eyes puffy and mumbling something incoherent (English in this case)? Having begun many trips to Europe in Rome, I’ve found that there are lots of things to see in Rome to help you beat jet lag. Here are 10 ways to beat jet lag in Rome:Sleep on the Way Over There are lots of general tips for diminishing the ... Read Full Article
EuropeUpClose Picks for Best Cities in Europe for Canoodling
Looking for romantic Europe? From the cozy canals of Venice, to sophisticated Paris, to mysterious Valencia, Spain, Europe offers romance around every corner. You can find romance anywhere, but these cities are our favorites for finding that special spot for canoodling. Venice, ItalyThe city of quiet canals and music is our choice for the best city in Europe for canoodling. What is more ... Read Full Article
Hiring a Tour Guide: Is it Worth it?
My husband, Bill, and I had never hired a private tour guide before our recent trip to Italy. In the past, we read our guidebooks, consulted the internet, and reviewed EuropeUpClose.com to see what our writers had to say. We then did our own thing. We have also been part of large group tours, but this experience showed us the value of a knowledgeable, private tour guide to help us sort through ... Read Full Article
Italy Can Mend a Broken Heart
For most of the summer, I was afraid to go to Italy. I was scared to hear the accent, to taste spaghetti Bolognese, to smell espresso. I worried that hearing my favourite Italian word, “Alora”, might send me straight over the edge. You see, I fell in love with an Italian last year.If this has happened to you before, I needn’t say more. If it hasn’t, let me fill you in: His name ... Read Full Article
Rome’s Most Important Sights
Here’s an overview of the most important sights in Rome. Let’s pretend that you’re just leaving the hotel for the first time since arriving in Rome. What do you want to see most? Luckily, many of the most important historic sites are within walking distance of one another. This area is so filled with pedestrians that few drivers are willing to navigate the winding streets. This is fortunate ... Read Full Article
Planning Your Italy Vacation: From Rome to Lecce
In the last edition of Planning your Italy Vacation, I wrote about traveling north from Rome, with Venice as the final destination. In this post we’ll explore the alternative: traveling from Rome southward. This alternative will be attractive to travelers who have already seen the major sights in the north of Italy, and to travelers who prefer to tread the less-beaten path. I suggest ... Read Full Article
Guide to Rome’s Outdoor Markets
Some of the best deals in Rome can be found in the beautiful outdoor markets. Located in timeless settings on ancient streets and in stunning piazzas, the markets offer every kind of merchandise imaginable, from immaculate floral arangments and high-quality produce to inexpensive clothes, shoes, and antiques. I first visited the markets as a tourist and then later while writing a guide ... Read Full Article
Italy from Bottom to Top: the Cuisine of Puglia
To enter Puglia’s culinary world is to walk into a combination of creativity and simplicity infused with fresh produce. For centuries, agriculture was the primary source of income, and you can taste the high standards of the local farmers who know just how a vegetable is supposed to taste. Chemicals have been introduced to the area, but even though most farmers use chemical fertilizers and ... Read Full Article
Rome’s Fifth-Quarter Meats
When I first heard the phrase "fifth quarter meats," I asked: What are fifth quarter meats, and how can you get five out of four? The answer to this latter question illuminates the history of Rome’s unique style of cooking. The first quarter of a butchered animal was given to the nobles, the second to the priests, the third to the rich, and the fourth to the army. The rest of the Romans ... Read Full Article